A match that actually saw Liverpool eliminated from Europe. Roy Evans’s side had been humbled 3-0 in Paris - around the time David James was playing too much PlayStation, by his own (later) admissions - meaning the return leg required something dramatic.

An early goal from Robbie Fowler gave the Anfield faithful hope of a comeback, and belief blossomed when Mark Wright headed in with 11 minutes remaining. Alas, it wasn't to be for the Reds. But it showed that Liverpool - and indeed English clubs - were back. “We have taken giant strides,” assessed Evans post-match.

Scott Carson or Gigi Buffon? Djimi Traore or Fabio Cannavaro? Igor Biscan or Pavel Nedved? Anthony Le Tallec or Alessandro Del Piero? Milan Baros or Zlatan Ibrahimovic? You wouldn’t be picking any Liverpool players on paper if choosing between the Merseysiders and their Italian counterparts.

Yet for all that, a Steven Gerrard-less side somehow won 2-1, thanks to two brilliant early goals from Sami Hyypia and Luis Garcia. The Reds then went to the Stadio delle Alpi and defended incredibly to grab a 0-0 and progress to the semi-final (more on that later).

To many, this was Liverpool’s best squad of the last 20 years, featuring an in-form Gerrard and Fernando Torres, plus Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Hyypia, Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina.

Having won 1-0 in the Bernabeu, they smashed the Spaniards 4-0 at Anfield - with Andre Dossena lobbing in the fourth, something he then repeated at Old Trafford a few days later in a 4-1 win. How this side didn’t win the Premier League is still a mystery.

Before Benitez arrived and brought with him Champions League success, Gerard Houllier taught Liverpool how to win again in Europe. Having neutralised the likes of Rivaldo and Patrick Kluivert to draw 0-0 at the Camp Nou, Houllier’s side then completed the job at home.

Gary McAllister’s perfect penalty just before half-time gave the Reds a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Anfield was rocking under the lights, and a first European trophy in 17 years was collected the following the month.